Li et al. (2026) Model–Observation Discrepancies in the Coupling of Vegetation Greening and Transpiration Under Rising Vapor Pressure Deficit

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Identification

• Journal: Water Resources Research
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Shijie Li, Shanlei Sun, Jiao Lu, Zefeng Chen, Matteo Mura, Daniel Fiifi Tawia Hagan, Jian Peng, Charlotte Grossiord, Diego G. Miralles, Giovanni Forzieri
• DOI: 10.1029/2026wr043586

Research Groups

• Department of Earth Sciences, University of California
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
• European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

Short Summary

This study investigates the relationship between vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and plant transpiration (Tran) on a global scale using satellite-based observations, reanalysis data sets, and simulations from CMIP6 models. The results show that VPD has a broadly positive influence on Tran over most land areas.

Objective

• Investigate the contribution of VPD to global Tran by ruling out the effect of soil moisture

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global land areas
• Temporal Scale: Long-term trends and seasonal variations

Methodology and Data

• Models used: CMIP6 models (16)
• Data sources:
  • Satellite-based observations (e.g., MODIS, Landsat)
  • Reanalysis data sets (e.g., ERA5, MERRA2)

Main Results

• VPD shows a broadly positive influence on Tran over most global land areas consistently across all data sets.
• Exceptions occur in tropical rainforests where reanalysis data and CMIP6 model outputs suggest a negative VPD-Tran interplay.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the relationship between VPD and Tran on a global scale, highlighting the need to better represent physiological processes, hydraulic processes, and vegetation structural characteristics in process-based models.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant # XXXXXXXX
• European Research Council (ERC) Grant # YYYYYYYY

Citation

@article{Li2026ModelObservation,
  author = {Li, Shijie and Sun, Shanlei and Lu, Jiao and Chen, Zefeng and Mura, Matteo and Hagan, Daniel Fiifi Tawia and Peng, Jian and Grossiord, Charlotte and Miralles, Diego G. and Forzieri, Giovanni},
  title = {Model–Observation Discrepancies in the Coupling of Vegetation Greening and Transpiration Under Rising Vapor Pressure Deficit},
  journal = {Water Resources Research},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2026wr043586},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2026wr043586}
}